the world cup final

Did the hoovering during the second half. Karma's a bitch Mrs 92ers.

Originally Posted by shenwen

Curiosity got the better of me so I tuned in for the second half. Maybe it was the pressure of the final but was genuinely surprised at just how bad the football was. The Guardian had me believing women’s football was this superior product where nobody cheats or wastes time. Some of the players seems decent enough technically but overall the standard was poor.

How it gets more girls playing though and gives a boost to league attendances. Said the same after the euros though, and for the latter not much changed.

You have to adjust your expectations. You can enjoy it for what it is, like a white collar boxing event etc...

Finals are mostly underwhelming in terms of quality. Last years WC final an exception

It’s being sold as a much higher standard than it actually is, but if that hype gets the game more exposure, then it’s a small price to pay.

There’s plenty to enjoy if you’re not sat thinking “it’s not as good as the men’s”. Well no. And league one football isn’t as good as the premier league, but we can still enjoy it and acknowledge its of a good standard.

As it grows, it will get better. The sports we watch have had 100+ years to grow. In relative terms, the women’s game is still in its infancy. Certainly in terms of the exposure.

We laugh at old clips of footballers in the 20s and 30s. These things take time.

And ultimately, it’s not about us - the men. It’s almost become a cliche, but it really is about bringing the game to the forefront so that girls can feel they have an Avenue into the game. Seeing mums and dads with their daughters at games, having female players to aspire to etc. all of that stuff is great and supersedes the occasional shanked cross.

the goalkeeping has definitely improved.

it's still frustrating watch an england team play very conservatively, then resort to desperate, aimless, long balls. the one time they had a couple of players overloaded on the left and it was crying out for an expansive diagonal ball, the player cut right, turned back and passed short to a midfielder.

it is possible to take care of the ball and take calculated risks. could apply elsewhere.

Back in the 1980s and 90s, women's football was genuinely hilarious to watch - very much a case of "so bad its good".

Things have definitely moved on a fair bit from those days.

Originally Posted by jem

the goalkeeping has definitely improved.

it's still frustrating watch an england team play very conservatively, then resort to desperate, aimless, long balls. the one time they had a couple of players overloaded on the left and it was crying out for an expansive diagonal ball, the player cut right, turned back and passed short to a midfielder.

it is possible to take care of the ball and take calculated risks. could apply elsewhere.

Jem.....nobody cares mate